“Prometheus.” Zeus summoned the Titan famed for his wisdom and gift of foresight.
“Can you foresee a way to end this long war?
If it continues, no one truly benefits.” Prometheus looked into Zeus’s weary eyes and sensed the steadily growing majesty of the future King of Gods.
After a moment of thought, he walked over to a large map and pointed toward a particular location.
“There is someone who understands the outcome of this war better than I do.” “She knows every secret hidden beneath the earth.” “Go here, Zeus.” “Take your most trusted brothers and seek an audience with the great Mother Earth, Gaia—the one who nurtures all life and knows all things.” “She will show you the path needed to end this war.” Hearing Gaia’s name, Zeus froze briefly before his eyes lit up.
“Gaia!” “Of course!” “How could I have forgotten her?” “This war itself began because of her prophecy.” Soon afterward, Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon quietly departed from the main battlefield and began their journey to seek Gaia.
As the commander second only to Zeus, Hera remained behind with Demeter and Hestia to stabilize the front lines and guard against any counteroffensive launched by Kronos.
Avoiding the Titans’ patrols, the three brothers eventually reached the Temple of Gaia, hidden deep beneath the Omphalos—the Navel of the World.
The temple was silent.
Ancient.
Filled with the primordial aura of the earth itself.
Time seemed frozen within its walls.
“O great Mother Earth…” “Source of all life…” “Gaia.” Standing before the simple yet life-filled stone statue at the center of the temple, Zeus respectfully bowed.
“Please guide your lost children.” “Show us how to end this meaningless war and establish a new order for the world.” As though responding to his plea, the temple floor trembled gently.
A tiny green sprout emerged from the solid stone.
It rapidly grew before their eyes.
Branches stretched outward.
Leaves unfurled.
Within moments, a towering tree stood proudly inside the temple, radiating endless vitality.
Then its form gradually shifted.
The giant tree slowly transformed into the silhouette of a woman.
She possessed no true physical body.
Instead, she was an incarnation woven from life itself, the will of the earth, and ancient wisdom.
Though her features remained indistinct, she radiated both the majesty and compassion of the Mother Goddess.
It was Gaia’s manifested will.
“My children…” “Seek those who carry Titan blood…” “…yet do not stand with the Titans.” “Seek those whose hatred toward Kronos burns brightest.” Her voice echoed directly within the souls of the three brothers.
“Only by gaining their strength…” “…and breaking the old balance of power…” “…can this endless war finally come to an end.” The three exchanged glances.
They immediately understood what Gaia meant.
Throughout the ten-year war, rumors had long circulated that Kronos, fearing their strength, had imprisoned the three Hecatoncheires and the three Cyclopes within the deepest reaches of Tartarus.
Many Titan gods who had defected to their side had previously suggested freeing these ancient giants to join the war.
However… Tartarus was the deepest prison in existence—the abyss where heaven and earth had once been separated.
Its gates could not be opened through ordinary means.
Furthermore, Kronos guarded the place with overwhelming vigilance.
The idea had therefore remained nothing more than a suggestion.
“It seems…” “The final battle of this war will ultimately be decided in Tartarus.” Zeus nodded slowly.
“Hades.” “The problem is Kronos’s defenses around Tartarus.” “A direct assault would almost certainly trigger an immediate counterattack.” Hades answered calmly.
“With the combined strength of the three of us—and the advantage of surprise—we should be able to break through.” “Fool.” Hades replied without hesitation.
“The moment Kronos realizes all three of us have disappeared from the battlefield…” “…he’ll launch a full-scale offensive.” “No matter how strong Hera and the others are, they cannot hold off the entire Titan army forever.” “We must complete our objective and return before Kronos even realizes what’s happened.” Zeus smiled confidently.
“You think I haven’t considered that?” “Before leaving, we’ll bring every reserve of Ambrosia and Nectar we’ve stored.” “If we rescue the Hecatoncheires and Cyclopes…” “…they can immediately recover enough strength to join the battle.” “With that surprise reinforcement…” “…this war can be ended in a single decisive strike.” During their journey toward Tartarus, Zeus and Hades once again began arguing over the finer details of the operation.
After fighting side by side for ten years… This had practically become their normal way of communicating.
Watching them bicker, Poseidon couldn’t help rolling his eyes.
There they go again.
Hades and Zeus really are alike in some ways… One insists on acting dark and mysterious… The other is obsessed with looking impressive.
Good thing Hera isn’t here, or it’d become three people arguing instead of two.
Yawning lazily, Poseidon followed behind them.
At least this tedious war is finally nearing its end.
That old lady Gaia’s prophecies have never been wrong.
Compared to his brothers’ endless debates, Poseidon was far more interested in what came afterward.
Once the war ended… The gods would each fulfill their proper roles.
And he could finally stop fighting every day.
Then I can find a beautiful stretch of ocean… …and actually enjoy the carefree life the Sea King is supposed to have.
⸻ After traveling for some time, the three brothers finally reached the legendary entrance to Tartarus—the deepest layer of the world.
The sight before them confirmed their expectations.
Countless monsters stood guard before the entrance.
Each radiated a fierce and terrifying aura.
At the center of the army stood a gigantic figure whose mere presence was enough to suffocate lesser beings.
It was Kampe.
Her lower body resembled a massive dragon, covered in metallic scales that gleamed with a cold luster.
Her upper body was that of a powerfully built woman wielding enormous steel chains and a colossal axe.
A pair of enormous bat-like wings spread from her back, large enough to eclipse the sun.
Around her neck writhed the heads of several savage beasts—a lion, a goat, a venomous serpent… Each emanated an overwhelming aura of bloodlust and fury.
“So that’s Kampe…” “The monster guarding Tartarus.” Hades narrowed his eyes.
“The problem isn’t just Kampe.” “There are far too many monsters stationed here.” “A direct assault won’t stay quiet for long.” “We may not even open Tartarus before Kronos arrives with the rest of his army.” After a brief discussion, the brothers quickly settled on a plan.
Poseidon and Hades would launch surprise attacks from opposite flanks, creating as much chaos as possible and drawing the defenders’ attention.
Meanwhile… Zeus would slip through the confusion, open the Bronze Gates of Tartarus, and free the imprisoned Hecatoncheires and Cyclopes.
The operation had begun.